Businessman Gomez entering race for Senate

Wednesday

Feb 13, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By Steve LeBlanc THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Businessman and former U.S. Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez officially launched his U.S. Senate campaign on Tuesday, becoming the second Republican to announce a bid for the seat formerly held by Democrat John Kerry.

Gomez, of Cohasset, announced his decision in a statement and a video. He said a formal campaign kickoff would come on Feb. 28, one day after the deadline candidates face to collect the 10,000 signatures needed to qualify for the primary ballot.

The primary will be held on April 30. A special election is scheduled for June 25.

Gomez, who has never held elective office, positioned himself as an outsider, pointing to “a lot of unproductive noise and bickering” in Washington.

“I’m running because I refuse to be cynical about America or America’s future. Certainly people will say, ‘This can’t be fixed,’ ” Gomez said. “But sending career politicians to do the job would be the same old, same old. Our country is better than its politics.”

Gomez, who was born in Los Angeles to parents who moved from Colombia, speaks Spanish and English in the campaign video. In a brief biography, he describes growing up in “a grateful, first-generation American family,” which instilled in him a duty to give back to his country, prompting his decision to enter the military.

Gomez also highlighted his experience as a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a Navy aircraft carrier pilot and Navy SEAL. He didn’t return phone messages left by The Associated Press.

A campaign aide said Gomez isn’t planning to talk to the press before Feb. 28 but has spoken with former Republican Govs. William Weld and Paul Cellucci and former GOP gubernatorial candidate Charles Baker.

“We believe we can win,” campaign spokesman Lenny Alcivar said.

Gomez had been trying to line up support ahead of his announcement. On Tuesday his campaign released a statement by former GOP Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey in which she praised him for his “common sense and experience” but stated “primaries are healthy for our party.”

Kerry was sworn in as the U.S. secretary of state on Feb. 1, and Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick appointed William “Mo” Cowan to serve as interim senator. Cowan is not running for the seat.

Norfolk state Rep. Daniel Winslow became the first Republican to announce his candidacy last week.

Another Republican, Governor’s Council member Jennie L. Caissie of Oxford, has decided not to run. Last week she said she was considering it. But Tuesday, she said that after talking to family, supporters and some of the state’s key Republicans over the last several days, she has concluded “It’s just not right for my family right now.” She has a 4-month-old daughter.

Senate Republican Leader Bruce Tarr said he’s committed to his job but hasn’t ruled out a run for the U.S. Senate and likely would have a decision by today.

On the Democratic side, U.S. Reps. Edward Markey and Stephen Lynch have announced their candidacies. Marisa DeFranco, an immigration attorney, is weighing a run.

Many high-profile Republicans, including Weld and former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, have decided not to run.

The 47-year-old Gomez, who left the Navy in 1996 to earn a master’s degree from Harvard Business School, has worked for the private equity firm Advent International since 2004. He is married with four children.

John J. Monahan of the Telegram & Gazette staff contributed to this report.